After having made you discover some of my rentals in Fez and Rabat and after having made you discover my trip in the Moroccan desert, I will try to make you visit Fez.
Fez is the second largest city in Morocco, with nearly 1.2 million inhabitants. Fez has, on several occasions, been the capital of Morocco.
We are going to review the essential places of this city and I will give you some tips for visiting Fez. First of all, you should know that the city of Fez is divided into three large sectors, the medina (historic center), the new city and the royal district.
The medina of Fez or Fez El Bali, the historic center of Fez
The mosques of the Medina of Fez
The medina of Fez is the largest medina in the Arab world, therefore it has many mosques, more than thirty, some of which are very old and very well renovated, such as the El-Qaraouiyyîn mosque founded in the 9th century. Unfortunately, I could not tell you more about the mosques in Fez, indeed mosques in Morocco are prohibited for non-Muslims.
The medersas of the Medina of Fez
Madrasas or madrassa, are schools or universities, religious or secular, in the Arab world. The medina has several, some of which are very well preserved and renovated. Admission is payable, a few dirhams only, to enter the courtyard of the madrassa. I had the opportunity to visit two of the most beautiful medersa in the medina of Fez.
Medersa Bou Inania
The Medersa Bou Inania was built around 1350. It is the only medersa to have a minaret. It also has a water clock. The decoration of this Medersa is impressive, the details of the inlays on these walls are quite impressive.
Médersa Al Attarine
Built in 1323, the Medersa Al Attarine is one of the most beautiful Medersa in Fez and one of the best preserved. Small regret, of this old Koranic school you can only visit the courtyard. It will cost you 10 dirhams.
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The Chouara tanneries of Fez
You should know that you will find 3 different tanneries in the medina of Fez. The most famous, the largest and also the oldest are the tanneries of Chouara. Visiting the tanneries is a must during your stay in Fez. It is a unique place where animal skins are worked so that they are transformed into slippers, bags or any other leather-based product.
The visit of these tanneries will show you the different stages of this preparation as well as the different tanks in which these skins are immersed. You will also see the drying of these.
Tips for visiting Chouara tanneries
Be aware that when you walk in the medina of Fez, you will have the unpleasant surprise of being alpaca by a multitude of people wishing to drive you and show you around the tanneries. Even if you will feel like these people want to take you there for free, you are sure to come across someone asking you for money to access the tanneries.
Even if, theoretically, there is no charge to enter, be prepared to donate a few coins to be able to enter. Nothing excessive, 10 dirhams (around 1 euro). It is a bad thing for a good because the visit quickly becomes a “guided” visit where you are explained the different stages and processes of transformation of the skins.
The Glaoui Palace
The Glaoui Palace is one of my most memorable visits to the medina of Fez. Off the busy streets of the medina, the Glaoui palace, built in the 19th century, was the palace of the Glaoui of Marrakech. It was here that he stayed during his visits to Fez. This palace has not been used since the 1950s and this is where all the peculiarity of the palace lies. Indeed, Abdou, the only resident of the palace, cannot maintain and renovate this monumental palace. And yes, I didn’t tell you, but this palace covers 13,000 square meters and has more than 1,000 rooms. Abdou is a painter, plastic artist, he exhibits his paintings around the world at various events. You will be able to contemplate some of them during the visit of the palace. The tour only covers a very small part of the palace, but the visit is well worth it. No fixed price, you give what you want, the money will be used for the renovation of the palace.
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Visit Fez, its royal district
Visiting Fez also means visiting its royal district. The royal district, where the royal palace is located, is an obligatory stage of your visit to Fez. This one is located between the old city with its districts, Fés El Bali, Fès El Jdid and the new city. The royal palace is located on the Place des Alaouites. You cannot miss it with its imposing facade. Unfortunately you won’t see any more. You will not be able to go inside you can nevertheless contemplate the impressive door.
Merinid tombs
The Mérinides is a dynasty that reigned over Morocco between the 13th and 15th centuries. They settled in Fez for a period and founded Fes El-Jdid. They have therefore left their mark on all of Morocco and more particularly Fez.
It is therefore in this city that you can discover the ruins of the Merinid tombs. Unfortunately, not much of these tombs remains, but I still recommend this stop during your visit to Fez. Indeed these ruins being located on a hill you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the medina of Fez.
Small tips for visiting the Merinid Tombs
The Merinid tombs are located a little outside the city, they are not easily accessible on foot or even by public transport. If you haven’t rented a car, I recommend taking a taxi. You will quickly understand that it is the most practical public transport to get from one place to another in Fez. The trick is to ask the driver to wait for you not far from the tombs. You can ask him to wait 20 to 30 minutes, which is more than enough to enjoy the ruins and the view of the medina.
Where to stay in Fez?
Fez is a relatively large city separated into 3 main parts. The question of accommodation will inevitably come to your mind and to visit Fez well it is better not to be wrong about the location of the accommodation.
As I told you Fez is divided into 3 large districts, Fes El Bali which is the oldest district of Fez. Fez El Bali is the medina, entirely pedestrianized, picturesque, full of life during the day with its alleys full of small stalls mainly based on crafts. It is the most touristic district. It was in this neighborhood that I stayed. You will inevitably come there during the day. In the evening the medina gradually empties. There you will find a few restaurants and places to have a drink.
Fez El Jdid, again a more recent medina. I did not go to this medina at night, but only during the day. You will find the living side of Fez El Bali but you will undoubtedly be less disoriented.
The new city is the most recent district of Fez. This one looks like most big cities in Morocco. You will find a multitude of bar restaurants. This side of town is much more lively in the evening.
Several choices are therefore available to you for accommodation when you visit Fez. For my part, I will recommend the medina and if possible stay in a riad, this typical Moroccan accommodation is very pleasant and the people particularly welcoming. I invite you to make your choice on a vacation rental site like Vacances.SeLoger.com for example. There are many riads there and you can refine your choice according to your budget and the desired equipment. In this regard, do not hesitate to choose a riad with air conditioning if you plan to visit Fez during the hot season!
